Collinsville Feb 10th 1858
Mr Brown
Dr Sir
Your favor of the 10th inst was duly received. In reply I have to say that the situation of the thing is this- I purchased the handles, guards screws, ferrules etc. For the entire lot 1000 and steel for nearly the whole and had them forged tempered and ground, made all the tools necessary to complete the whole, but never entirely finished any, for the reason that I could not do the work for so low a figure, unless I could take advantage of it by carrying the whole along together- I have probably spent more money in getting thus far than I have received, and all the expence refused to finish them (or nearly so) would be for labor
They are of no kind of use to me and I should be willing to put them

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into your hands in the state in which they are, if you could get them finished at any other place, or I am ready to go forward and finish them if you desire it done, I could do the remainder of the work, just as well as not now, and should be glad to do so, if I can be sure of my pay
But I do not feel quite willing to go on and spend any more money, and then have them left on my hands. I do not feel disposed to blame you Mr Brown in the least But as I have before said, I have spent a good deal of money in preparing tools to make them, and in the purchase of stock – and some over 500 are ground and tempered which is the great bulk of the work – If you can find responsible parties that are willing to guarantee my pay in three or four months, that will be satisfactory – I would prefer to finish them up rather than drop them where they are for I think I should loose money to drop them here, and could save myself by finishing them
Your etc
Chas Blair
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P.S. Business as you know has been very dull, but is beginning to revive. If I go on with them should like to know it soon.